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Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

The history of agricultural education in Kerala can be traced back to the year 1896 when a scheme was evolved in the erstwhile Travancore State to train a few young men in scientific agriculture at the Demonstration Farm, Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram, presently, the Cropping Systems Research Centre under Kerala Agricultural University. Agriculture was introduced as an optional subject in the middle school classes in the State in 1922 when an Agricultural Middle School was started at Aluva, Ernakulam District. The popularity and usefulness of this school led to the starting of similar institutions at Kottarakkara and Konni in 1928 and 1931 respectively. Agriculture was later introduced as an optional subject for Intermediate Course in 1953. In 1955, the erstwhile Government of Travancore-Cochin started the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at Mannuthy, Thrissur for imparting higher education in agricultural and veterinary sciences, respectively. These institutions were brought under the direct administrative control of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Animal Husbandry, respectively. With the formation of Kerala State in 1956, these two colleges were affiliated to the University of Kerala. The post-graduate programmes leading to M.Sc. (Ag), M.V.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees were started in 1961, 1962 and 1965 respectively. On the recommendation of the Second National Education Commission (1964-66) headed by Dr. D.S. Kothari, the then Chairman of the University Grants Commission, one Agricultural University in each State was established. The State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) were established in India as an integral part of the National Agricultural Research System to give the much needed impetus to Agriculture Education and Research in the Country. As a result the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) was established on 24th February 1971 by virtue of the Act 33 of 1971 and started functioning on 1st February 1972. The Kerala Agricultural University is the 15th in the series of the SAUs. In accordance with the provisions of KAU Act of 1971, the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vellayani, and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, were brought under the Kerala Agricultural University. In addition, twenty one agricultural and animal husbandry research stations were also transferred to the KAU for taking up research and extension programmes on various crops, animals, birds, etc. During 2011, Kerala Agricultural University was trifurcated into Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU), Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) and Kerala Agricultural University (KAU). Now the University has seven colleges (four Agriculture, one Agricultural Engineering, one Forestry, one Co-operation Banking & Management), six RARSs, seven KVKs, 15 Research Stations and 16 Research and Extension Units under the faculties of Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering and Forestry. In addition, one Academy on Climate Change Adaptation and one Institute of Agricultural Technology offering M.Sc. (Integrated) Climate Change Adaptation and Diploma in Agricultural Sciences respectively are also functioning in Kerala Agricultural University.

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Subject: Home Science × Author: Aswathy, K M × Author: KAU × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Quality assessment and development of product from annona(Annona spp.)
    (Department of Home Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2016) Aswathy, K M; KAU; Nirmala, C
    The research project entitled “Quality assessment and development of product from Annona (Annonaspp.)” was conducted at College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram during 2014-2016 with the objective to analyze the physico chemical and nutritional composition of Annonaceous fruits and to develop a value added product. Three spp. of fruits viz., Bullocks heart (Annona reticulata), Sweetsop (Annona squamosa)andSoursop (Annona muricata)were selected for the study. The quality of fresh fruits was assessed in terms of physical characteristics, sensory acceptability, nutrient analysis, chemical components and shelf stability. The Total Antioxidant Activity (TAA) was also studied. Fruit nectar was standardized from the extracted pulp at different proportions of 20, 25, 30, 35 per cent level and the best proportion was identified based on sensory scores. Physical characteristics such as fruit weight, pulp weight, seed weight and weight of inedible portion were noted. Annona squamosa was smaller in size and 4-5 fruits weighed 1 kg, while 3-4 fruits weighed 1 kg in case of Annona reticulata. Annona muricatawas comparatively large in size, 2 fruits weighed 1 - 1½ kg. Results of quality analysis of fresh fruits revealed that pulp weight, ranged between 344 g to 611 g/kg fruit. Highest pulp weight was observed in Annona muricata (611g/kg). Weight of seed (113.81g/kg) and weight of inedible portions (542.80g/kg)were higher in Annona reticulata.Sensory acceptability of the fruits were evaluated and the overall mean score for the selected fruits were found to range from 6.2 to 8.8. Maximum mean score was secured for Annona squamosa(8.8) followed by Annona muricata(8.6) and Annona reticulata (6.2). Keeping quality of the annonaceous fruits were assessed by noting their organoleptic parameters on alternate days until spoilage. It was found that all the three fruits had maximum keeping quality of seven days. Quantitative estimation of major nutrients revealed that highest content of carbohydrate, energy and fat were noticed in Annona reticulata (25.12 g, 108.40 kcal, 0.61mg/100g respectively). Whereas Annona muricata exhibited highest moisture content (82.46 %). Protein content was found to be higher in Annona squamosa (2.05 mg/100g). TSS content of the selected fruits ranged from 18 – 250 Brix. The fruits were rich in potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and iron.The fruits exhibited very low fat content. Annona reticulatawas composed of 65.09μg of β caroteneper 100 gram and Annona squamosarecorded a vitamin C content of 36.20 mg/100g.Oxalates and total phenol content was higher in Annona muricata (3.36 mg/100g, 21.72 mg/100g respectively). Acidity of the selected fruits ranged from 0.27 to 1.07 per cent. Total antioxidant activity of selected fruits were studied by using different solvents such as petroleum ether, methanol and aqueous medium. The results revealed that Annona squamosa had highest antioxidant activity with IC50 value of 32.00 μg/ ml in petroleum ether. Fruit nectar was standardized from fruit pulp. Four treatment with differentproportions of fruit pulp (per cent)20 (T1), 25 (T2), 30 (T3) and 35 (T4) were developed and initial sensory analysis was done to identify the best proportion for further storage study.Selected best proportions of the fruit nectarfromAnnona reticulata (T3), Annona squamosa (T3), Annona muricata (T4) were stored at room temperature for monitoring the shelf stability in terms of changes in sensory parameters, acidity and microbial contamination periodically. The samples were analysed at weekly interval during the storage period. The stored fruit nectar was analysed for bacteria, fungi and actinomycets. No bacteria, yeast, actinomycets growth was found during the storage periodupto three weeks.An increase in acidity was noted during storage.Shelf stability of the developed product fruit nectar was found to be three weeks at ambient temperature. Annonaceous fruits possess great nutritional and health benefits through the supply of natural antioxidants and other bioactive components. Among the three spp. Annona squamosa was observed with higher antioxidant activity.Annonaceous fruits keeps well for 7 days at ambient temperature. Acceptable fruit nectarwas developed from the fruits with three weeks shelf stability at ambient temperature. Hence promoting the cultivation in large scale and scaling up the production will help to improve the health status and economic prosperity.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Quality assessment and development of product from annona (Annona spp.)
    (College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2016) Aswathy, K M; KAU; Nirmala, C
    The research project entitled “Quality assessment and development of product from Annona (Annonaspp.)” was conducted at College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram during 2014-2016 with the objective to analyze the physico chemical and nutritional composition of Annonaceous fruits and to develop a value added product. Three spp. of fruits viz., Bullocks heart (Annona reticulata), Sweetsop (Annona squamosa)andSoursop (Annona muricata)were selected for the study. The quality of fresh fruits was assessed in terms of physical characteristics, sensory acceptability, nutrient analysis, chemical components and shelf stability. The Total Antioxidant Activity (TAA) was also studied. Fruit nectar was standardized from the extracted pulp at different proportions of 20, 25, 30, 35 per cent level and the best proportion was identified based on sensory scores. Physical characteristics such as fruit weight, pulp weight, seed weight and weight of inedible portion were noted. Annona squamosa was smaller in size and 4-5 fruits weighed 1 kg, while 3-4 fruits weighed 1 kg in case of Annona reticulata. Annona muricatawas comparatively large in size, 2 fruits weighed 1 - 1½ kg. Results of quality analysis of fresh fruits revealed that pulp weight, ranged between 344 g to 611 g/kg fruit. Highest pulp weight was observed in Annona muricata (611g/kg). Weight of seed (113.81g/kg) and weight of inedible portions (542.80g/kg)were higher in Annona reticulata.Sensory acceptability of the fruits were evaluated and the overall mean score for the selected fruits were found to range from 6.2 to 8.8. Maximum mean score was secured for Annona squamosa(8.8) followed by Annona muricata(8.6) and Annona reticulata (6.2). Keeping quality of the annonaceous fruits were assessed by noting their organoleptic parameters on alternate days until spoilage. It was found that all the three fruits had maximum keeping quality of seven days. Quantitative estimation of major nutrients revealed that highest content of carbohydrate, energy and fat were noticed in Annona reticulata (25.12 g, 108.40 kcal, 0.61mg/100g respectively). Whereas Annona muricata exhibited highest moisture content (82.46 %). Protein content was found to be higher in Annona squamosa (2.05 mg/100g). TSS content of the selected fruits ranged from 18 – 250 Brix. The fruits were rich in potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and iron.The fruits exhibited very low fat content. Annona reticulatawas composed of 65.09μg of β caroteneper 100 gram and Annona squamosarecorded a vitamin C content of 36.20 mg/100g.Oxalates and total phenol content was higher in Annona muricata (3.36 mg/100g, 21.72 mg/100g respectively). Acidity of the selected fruits ranged from 0.27 to 1.07 per cent. Total antioxidant activity of selected fruits were studied by using different solvents such as petroleum ether, methanol and aqueous medium. The results revealed that Annona squamosa had highest antioxidant activity with IC50 value of 32.00 μg/ ml in petroleum ether. Fruit nectar was standardized from fruit pulp. Four treatment with differentproportions of fruit pulp (per cent)20 (T1), 25 (T2), 30 (T3) and 35 (T4) were developed and initial sensory analysis was done to identify the best proportion for further storage study.Selected best proportions of the fruit nectarfromAnnona reticulata (T3), Annona squamosa (T3), Annona muricata (T4) were stored at room temperature for monitoring the shelf stability in terms of changes in sensory parameters, acidity and microbial contamination periodically. The samples were analysed at weekly interval during the storage period. The stored fruit nectar was analysed for bacteria, fungi and actinomycets. No bacteria, yeast, actinomycets growth was found during the storage periodupto three weeks.An increase in acidity was noted during storage.Shelf stability of the developed product fruit nectar was found to be three weeks at ambient temperature. Annonaceous fruits possess great nutritional and health benefits through the supply of natural antioxidants and other bioactive components. Among the three spp. Annona squamosa was observed with higher antioxidant activity.Annonaceous fruits keeps well for 7 days at ambient temperature. Acceptable fruit nectarwas developed from the fruits with three weeks shelf stability at ambient temperature. Hence promoting the cultivation in large scale and scaling up the production will help to improve the health status and economic prosperity.